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Reviewed
by Byron Defenbach
This CD, released in 2002 and self-produced by Bill
Gallagher and Ken Fordyce for Silverback Productions,
features classic, swaggering, horn-and-guitar-driven
R&B, some up-tempo shuffles, and a sprinkling of
jazz-tinged funk from this Seattle-based ensemble. The
arrangements are tight, and the vocals, especially by
songstress Keely Bradshaw, convey many different moods and
colors. I, as an erstwhile six-string picker,
especially enjoyed the guitar solos set against the brass
and reeds background. Many were reminiscent of the
Climax Blues Band (remember them?). The CD or
individual songs is available through www.cdbaby.com.
The ten musical numbers contained in this set include
originals by band members Greg Davison and Bill Platt, as
well as covers of tunes by such luminaries like Joe Sample,
Leon Russell, and Dr. John. The ensemble includes
trumpet, alto, tenor, and baritone saxes, lead and rhythm
guitars, keys, bass, percussion, and drums. Lots
happening. I listened to this one in my car for the
past week.
Sadly, this band has broken up – it’s tough to
maintain a band this size. But they’ve left us with
a joyful set of the kind of stuff that evokes Ray Charles,
Wilson Pickett, and Delaney and Bonnie. Now THIS is
dance music. How can you hold still?
Here’s a description of the set:
Did You Feel That? The Joe Sample tune.
Reminds me of an urban TV show theme.
Got To Be
A Better Way
A moving blues/funk number. The
vocals remind me of Robert Cray.
I Want to Know Keely sings on
this one. If ever there was a modern torch song,
it’s this one.
Living the Blues One of the originals.
An energetic blues shuffle.
I’d Rather Be Blind In the classic
Leon Russell/Delaney and Bonnie style, with a tinge of
gospel.
Hiding From The Pain Another original.
A minor-keyed soul-rock tune. A great horn hook sets
the mood.
The Night Is A Hunter A Doc Pomus/Dr.
John song. Moody minor chords set against a
New Orleans
rhythm groove. Great sax and guitar stylings.
Nothing In My Pocket A
Chicago
blues shuffle. An original number.
Did My Best Another original.
Straight ahead minor blues rock. Think of “Fever”
at an accelerated tempo.
Never Make A Move Too Soon A humorous
Delbert McClinton-styled tale of love troubles and
abandonment. You can’t hold still to this one.
Band Bios:
Bill Gallagher started playing professionally in 1960 in
Albany, NY and was playing in bars at 16. After high
school he went on the road with a band called Bougalieu,
which was with Roulette Records. They played all over the
Northeast and East coast. Later groups included Whitney
Sunday (Decca and Capitol Records), Rose and the Dirt Boys
(Seattle country rock group) and many sideman and studio
gigs. Performers Bill opened for include Steppenwolf,
Chuck Berry, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Buffett, Ramblin Jack
Elliot, Doug Kershaw, Buddy Miles, Taj Mahall, Alice
Cooper, Ted Nugent, Billy Joel, and many others. Bill's
played in about 20 states and Canada.
Matt Gallagher, Guitar: Matt has played
professionally all over the country, much in Portland and
Seattle. Played with Lily Wilde, Terry Evans, D K Stewart,
The Skyboys, The Thrillers and lots of sideman/studio
work.
Morgen Gallagher, Bass: Played with lots of Seattle
rock bands including Skeleton and the Spirit in the 90s.
Bill Platt, vocals and sax : Played the Alaska club
circuit for years. Studied sax at Western Washington University.
Writes and owns a studio in Cottage Lake, Wa.
Keely Bradshaw, Vocal: Keely is a veteran of the LA
ad/jingle business and has sung on many national TV and
radio commercial spots. She has a jazz band in Seattle
doing standards.
Greg Davison, Keys: Blues, soul, R&B
player from Seattle. Played with Little Milton. Writes and
runs a studio in Seattle.
Tim Dunnigan, Drums: Veteran club player from
Seattle.
Brian Steiner, Percussion: Has played with
many Seattle bands including Kidd Afrika and Jr Cadillac.
Andrey Zasypkin, Drums: Studied percussion in
Ukraine and played with jazz, rock and classical groups in
Europe and US.
Oleg Ruvinov, Bass: Oleg is a graduate
of Moscow Conservatory and has played in jazz, rock,
classical and blues bands all over Europe, Russia, and US.
Speaks 5 languages and plays tuba in Seattle Symphony.
Ken Fordyce, Guitar: Owner of
Mirror Sound Studios and Berkley School of Music alum.
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